By Ronell Hugh
Being the son of one of the most talented and famous athletes to ever play for Brigham Young University could be considered a tough act to follow.
For 22 year-old Austin Ainge, it is an opportunity to showcase his talents in a setting that encourages a principle strongly endorsed by his father, Danny Ainge.
' always preached a lot of balance,' said Austin about his father. 'He always made sure that we understood that sports were behind school, religion and being a good citizen.'
Coming to BYU was his choice, and it provided that balance taught by his father, Austin said.
'Because my dad played here, that was the only negative thing about BYU,' Austin said.
Danny, currently president of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics, played for the Cougars in late 1970s till early 1980s and led BYU to an NCAA Sweet 16 berth.
He went on to play in the NBA with the Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Portland Trailblazers and Phoenix Suns.
Imagine the expectations from the BYU community when this is the resume of your father.
'I get tired of all the questions and expectations and just everything to do with my dad,' Austin said. 'I have just tried to get away from that.'
The positive side Austin said was that he loved the coaching staff and the BYU campus.
'I finally determined that no matter where I go I''ll get all that stuff about my dad, so I might as well go to the place I want to go,' he said.
The opportunity to come to BYU was seen as a chance to develop the balance evoked by his father.
Attending BYU was a place that was endorsed by Danny, Austin said.
Along with having family ties with his father playing at BYU, Austin currently has a second cousin on the coaching staff.
Andy Toolson, is Austin''s mother''s first cousin.
'Prior to coming to BYU, I did not know him that well,' Austin said. 'I''ve really kind of gotten to know him since being here.'
There have been some expectations of Austin but not from his family, Austin said.
'From everyone else there have been some expectations, after red shirting and being injured for half the season, it all kind of died down,' Austin said.
He said the only time he gets any calls from reporters is to do a story about him and his dad.
'It''s a lot easier situation to come in without any expectations,' Austin said.
Currently, Austin has not had a chance to showcase his talent, but awaits the opportunity to get on the court, he said.
Danny played the shooting guard position while his son, Austin, is a point guard.
The similar part to their game is they both like to push the ball up the court, Austin said.
'That''s the basketball I like to watch, so that is the type I like to play,' Austin said about pushing the ball up the court.
Basketball is one major thing that connects the father and son, but ultimately it is a balanced life that keeps you on track, he said.
'After a bad game and losing to Michael Jordan in the finals a couple times, a lot of guys get really depressed,' Austin said. 'When you have things in perspective, it''s a lot easier.'
This has been important to Austin because of all the expectations everyone has had of him since he was young.
BYU is the school of choice of the Ainge family and for Austin, it will be the place he will endorse for his children.